What is more important? What we know or how we learn it? We believe the process for the acquisition of knowledge is very important. Learning how to learn prepares our boys for the challenge of future learning and experiences.
The International Baccalaureate Programme aims to develop learners who explore concepts, ideas and issues that have local and global significance, who acquire in-depth knowledge and who develop understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines.
The final three weeks of the Winter Term are a celebration of the learning and the knowledge our boys have acquired in their learning journey through the Junior School.
We began this celebration with the Inspirations Art Exhibition that showcased the outstanding work the boys have been engaged in over the course of the school year. Through inquiry, the boys have explored themes and issues. They developed their skills as they investigated new techniques. The art they created highlighted their learning and demonstrated their knowledge. Ms Sabitay's ability to link into classroom units of inquiry assisted in creating connections in the boys learning and the consolidation of their skills and acquisition of knowledge.
Information is not knowledge. Albert Einstein
The Year 5 PYP Exhibition is perhaps the most significant celebration of the boys learning experience for all of Junior School. The culminating experience of the PYP, the exhibition provides the boys the opportunity to showcase their inquiry skills. They engage in an in-depth, self initiated inquiry into an area important to them. This year our central idea is 'sharing resources can challenge communities to consider different perspectives'. The boys had to acquire knowledge through investigation. They connected in their learning and communicated their understanding. A key part of the boys' exhibition is the action they take. Each has developed methods to share their knowledge and to encourage others to make changes in their behaviour.
I am overwhelmed by the commitment of the boys to their learning and the guidance they have received from their mentors. Parents have been very involved in assisting the boys to complete this challenging task. I want to thank Ms Derrick, Mr Whiston and Mr Dornan for their outstanding leadership of this process.
While the quality of the two exhibitions has been outstanding, the most important work took place in the lead up to these showcases. The process where skills were learned and information explored led to the acquisition of knowledge and the connection the boys made.
John Stewart
Head of Junior School
